The Lagos State Government is facing demands from the Taylor Family to respect the rule of law and comply with a court order pertaining to their property in Abule Egba, Lagos.
Represented by Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, Managing Partner of Platinum and Taylor Hill LP, the family expressed their concerns during a press briefing. They criticized the government’s persistent occupation of the land despite a December 2019 Consent Judgment issued by Justice O. A. Ogala in their favor.
Plots 412/420 along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway form the disputed property, which holds immense historical and economic significance. First acquired in 1912, it has played host to various industrial and community projects but now lies abandoned due to prolonged legal tussles and alleged unauthorized occupation by the government.
Barrister Ojo detailed the emotional and financial toll inflicted on the family, blaming the government’s refusal to either vacate the land or provide compensation as required by law. He described the situation as a blatant disregard for justice and private property rights. He also accused officials of employing tactics like arbitrary revocation, protracted court proceedings, and bureaucratic hurdles to frustrate the family’s reclamation efforts.
Calls for immediate compliance with the Consent Judgment have been issued by the family, urging the government to either return the land or provide adequate compensation. They also demand an end to further encroachments, harassment, and delays surrounding the property.
Efforts to expedite the judicial process are ongoing, with Barrister Ojo appealing to the Chief Judge of Lagos State to prioritize the pending case (ID/13980MFHR/2022) and help restore faith in the legal system.